Window regulator mechanism



Oct. 11, 1960 D. D. CAMPBELL ETAL 2,955,817

wmoow REGULATOR MECHANISM Filed Oct. 10, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 11, 1960 D. D. CAMPBELL ETAL 2,955,817

wmnow REGULATOR MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 10, 1958 I N VENTORS Qaazafli Oct. 11, 1960 D. D. CAMPBELL ETAL 2,955,817

wmnow REGULATOR MECHANISM Filed Oct. 10, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 BY Jazzzls I? 622mg Oct. 11, 1960 D. D. CAMPBELL ET AL 2,955,817

yvmuow REGULATOR MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 10, 1958 United States Patent Ofi ice 2,955,817 Patented Oct. 1 1, 1 960' WlNDOW REGULATOR MECHANISM David D. Campbell, Detroit, and Louis P; Garvey, Birmingham, Mich, assignors to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 10, 1958, Ser. No. 766,466

8 Claims. (Cl. 268-126) The invention relates to window regulator mechanisms and more particularly to a window regulator mechanism for moving a plurality of vehicle windows between open and closed positions in a predetermined sequence while maintaining the windowsin coplanar-relationship in all positions thereof.

In certain vehicle bodies, the upper edge portion of the rear window opening extends rearwardly and 'downwardly on a wide arc to junction with the lower edge portion of the opening, whereby the lower edge portion of theopening is of substantial extent. Thus the window must have a lower edge portion of substantial extent in order to close the opening. The opening. tothe window well below the window opening is usually of the same length as the length of the lower edge portion of the opening but the length, or depth or both; of the. .-well may be of a much smaller extent so that it is virtually impossible to store the window-within thawindow well in the open position thereof without having some part of the lower edge portion of the window projecting into.

the window opening.

Inthe past this problem has been solvedby employing two windows in overlapping relationship. However, since the windows are located in. overlapping relationship in all positions thereof, the-opening to the storage well had to be of rather large width and this caused difficulties in sealing the opening to the window well and also detracted from the aesthetic appearance of the body.

This invention solvesthe problem. of large window openings and much smaller storage wells by providing a pair of windows to openand close'th'e window opening and a window regulator. mechanisnrfor moving the windows between open and closedpositions in. a Pfdr termined sequence whereby the windows easily fit within the well in the open position thereof and remain in coplanar relationship in all positions thereof. Thus the opening to the window well can be of normal size so as to require normal sealing means 'and not detract fromthe aesthetic appearance of they body.

The primary object of this invention is to provide anew and improved window, regulator mechanism for moving a plurality of windows between open and closed positions in predetermined sequence while maintaining the windows in coplanar relationship. inall positions thereof. Another object of this invention is to provide.

the windows in coplanar relationship in all positionsv thereof.

These and other objects of this invention will be readily apparent frompthe. following specification and drawings,- wherein:

Figure 1 is a broken away side clevational view of a vehicle door, from the inside of the body looking out-. wardly, embodying a window regulator mechanism according to this invention, with the windows being shown in closed position;

Figure 2 is .an enlarged view similar to Figure 1 showing one ofthe windows. in a partially open position;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view similar to Figure 1 show-' ing both windows in fully open position;

Figure 4 is, a partially broken away view taken along the plane indicated generally by line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a sectional. view taken along the plane indicated generally by line 55 of Figure 1;

Figure.6 is. a sectional view taken along the plane indicated generally by line 6-.--6 of Figure l; and

Figure 7 is .an enlarged sectional view taken along the plane indicatedgenerally by line 77 of Figure 1.

Referring. now particularly to Figure l of the drawings, a vehicle body 10 includes a door header 12 which extends rearwardly and1downwardly on -a rather wide arc.. A door 14 is swingably mounted at the forward edge 16(thereof onthe body and is latched at the rearward edge 18. thereof to the body. Door 14 includes an upper door windowframe member 20 which generally follows the curvature of the door header 12 and a forward door window frame member 22 which extends generally vertically and defines the window opening with member. 22. Frame. members 20 and 22 are secured .in a .suitable manner to thevlower portion of the door which includes spaced door inner and outer panels 24 and 26, respectively, defining a window receiving well 28 opening to the window opening. As can be seen from Figure 1 of the drawings, the lower edge portion of the window opening is of substantial longitudinal extent as compared to thelongitudinal extent and depth of well 28 whereby it would be virtually impossible to provide a single one piece Window to close the window opening which would fit within the well 28 without having part of the window extend into the'window1openinng in the open position thereof. In order to solve this problem, this invention provides a pair of door windows 3d and. 32 and window regulating mechanismfor moving the windows between a closed position, as shown in Figure 1, and an open. position, as shown in Figure 3, in a predetermined sequence. While maintaining: the windows in coplanar relationship in, all positions thereof whereby the opening towwell 281sof normal size andcan be conventionally sealed. In the closed position is received within a channel 34,. Figure .4, which: is provided in a. frame member36 fixedly secured to therearedge of thew-indowfifl and. integral with a frame member 38 which is fixedly secured to the lower edge of the window 30.

Referring now particularly to Figures 1 and=4 through 7 of the drawings, the window. regulating mechanismfor moving the windows 30 and .32 between-their open and closed positions will now be described- A backplate 40 is bolted at 42 to the doorinner panel- 24*and' a sector gear 44 is pivotally mounted-on the back plateat 46. The sector gear meshes with apinion 48 which is pivotally mounted on the back plate 40 and the innerpanel 24 andoperated by the usual "manually operable handle 50 which is located interiorly of the body. A

. 7 7 3 link 52 has one end thereof pivotally secured at 54 to the sector gear and the other end thereof pivotally secured at '56 to an offset bell crank member 58 which Frame memberv 68 is fixedly secured to the lower edge' portion of window 32 and includes an integral forwardly extending arm 70 which fixedly mounts an inwardly opening cam channel 72 pivotally and slidably receiving aroller 74 which is pivotally secured to the lower frame member. 38 of window 30. Thus it can be seen that the window 32.is secured to'the window 30 by means of the arm 70 and the cam channeland roller .72 and 74,

respectively, for both pivotal and, bodily movement .relative thereto.

4 to the door outer panel 26 by brackets 140 which are welded to the base of the channel and bolted at 142 to the outer panel. Channel 118 extends generally forwardly and downwardly'and pivotally and slidably receives roller 144 which is secured to the arm 70 of window frame member 68 and extends outwardly therefrom.

Referring 'now particularly to Figures 1 through 3 of the drawings, the operation of the window regulator mechanism in moving the windows 30 and 32 from their closed position, as shown in Figure l, to their open po-- sition, as shown in Figure 3 will now be described. When the windows 30 and 32 are in their closed position, as shownin Figure 1, the stud 110 of link 108 is i at the radially-outer endof slot 112 and at the'end of .An offset bell crank arm76 is pivotally secured to the back plate 40 at 78, with one end ofthe lift arm mounting a roller 80 which is pivotally and slidably received within an inwardly opening cam channel 82. Thee opening cam channel 94. The cam channel 94 is bolted at 96 to another depending integral extension 98 of frame member 38. The other leg of the balance arm mounts a roller 100 which is pivotally and slidably received within an outwardly opening cam. channel 102 which is secured to the door inner panel 24 at104. It can be seen that the cam channel 102 includes a forward linear portion extending generally rearwardly and downwardly within the door well 28 and a rearward arcuate portion extending generally rearwardly and upwardly. The other leg of the lift arm 76 is pivotally secured at 106 to one end of an arcuate link 108, the other end of which mounts a stud or pin 110. The pin 110 the lower portion 146 of slot 114, this portion being arcuately shaped and having its center .at the pivot 106 of the link 108 on lever 76. Assume now that the operator rotates the handle 50 in counterclockwise direction to rotate the pinion 48 in the same direction-and swing the sector 44 in a clockwise direction about its pivot 46 on the back plate. Theslot 112 will cam the pin 110 along the lower portion 146 of slot 114,-and since this lower portion of the slot has its center at the pivot 106,

- no movement will be impartedto the liftrarm 76 since link 108 will merely pivot about its pivot 106 on the lift arm withoutimparting any motion thereto. However,

lever 58 clockwise about its pivot 60 on the inner panel.

As the lever 58 swings in this direction, the engagement of roller 62 with cam channel 64 will shift the window 32 rearwardly and downwardly as the longitudinal shifting movement of the window is controlled by roller 144' and cam channel 118. The roller 74 of arm 70 pivots in the cam channel 72 and moves slightly rearwardly therein, as can be seen from a comparison of Figures 1 and 2 as window 32 moves rearwardly and downwardly within well 28. Thus initially the window 32 is shifted etxends through a generally radially disposed linear slot -11-2 in the sector gear 44 and also a generally ogee shaped slot 114 in back plate 40, and furnishes the driving'connection between the sector gear and the lift arm 76 as will be further described.

Since the connectionsbetween the balance arm 88 and nection between the window 32 and the window 30,.for-

wardly and rearwardly disposed guide cam channels 116 and-118 are provided to control shifting movement of 1 the windows 30 and 32, respectively, longitudinally of well 28 during movement of the windows between open and closed positions. The channel 116 opens outwardly.

of the-body and is secured to the door inner panel 24 by a number of brackets 120, 122 and'124, Figure 3, each of which is welded to the base of the channel 116 and bolted at 126 to the door inner panel. Channel 116 piv-' otally and slidably receives a roller 128 which is secured to extension 98 of frame member 38 and extends inward-j ly of the body therefrom. The channel 116 is generally of slight; ogee, curvature, except for the lower, end portion thereof which extends generally longitudinally rearwardly of 'well 28 for a purpose to be hereinafter described. In order to additionally stabilize the, window V V '30 against lateral shifting movement when in a closed or partially closed position, an offset stabilizing arm 132 is pivotally secured at 134 to the outboard side'of extension 98, and mounts a roller 136 which is pivotally and slidably received within channel 116 below the roll-. 7 7

rearwardly and downwardly to a position partiallybelow the rear edge of window 30 to 'move the forward edge portion of the window 32 out of the channel 34 of window frame member 36. It will be understood, of course, that the windows 30, and 32 remain in coplanar relationship during this initial opening movement of the window thereofwhich has its center at the pivot 46 of the sector gear 44 on the back plate '40. Thereafter upon continued clockwise swinging movement of thesector gear 44, the slot 112 thereof will cam the pin along the portion of slot 114. This continued swinging movement of the sector gear 44 will continuemovement of the window32 to its open position in the same manner as previously described asthe window 32 continues tomove thereof to open position as shown in Figure 3, as roller 144 follows cam channel 118.

As the pin110 is cammed along the 51: 1'14 beyond the a lift arm 76 clockwise about its pivot 78 on the back plate 40. As theilift arm 76 swings in this direction, it will shift the rear portion of window 30 downwardly within well 28 as roller 80 both pivots and slides in cam channel 82 and will also shift the balance arm 88 in the same direction. Since the lower end of the balance arm is both pivotal and slidable in channel 102 by means of roller 100, the baland downwardly at the same time that the rearward portion thereof is being shifted rearwardly and downwardly;

by the lift arm 76, with the longitudinal position of'the window being controlled by movement of roller'12'8 within cam channel 116. Initially the rear portion of the window 31) moves downwardly and rearwardly at a greater rate than the initial downward and rearward movement of the forward portion of the window to move the window out of the door window frame members and 22, this being accomplished by the shape of the forward portion of cam channel 102 which extends generally forwardly and upwardly within well 28. Thereafter the forward portion of the window is swung forwardly and downwardly at a greater rate of travel than the rear portion thereof to dispose the window 30 in an open position within the well as shown in Figure 3. During this movement of the window. 30, it will be understood, of course, that the window 32 continues its movement to open position, as previously mentioned, and the pivotal and slidable connection between thewindows provided by roller 74 and cam channel 72 allows each of the windows to pivot and shift independently of each other. The base of the cam channel 14$ is slotted at 152 to provide clearance for the lower rear corner of window 30 when in its open position.

When the windows 30 and 32 are in their fully open position within the well 28, it can be seen that the window 32 is disposed below the rear portion of the lower edge of window 30 and that both windows are located in coplanar relationship with each other and fully within well 28 so that no portion of either window projects above the upper edges of the door inner or outer panels and into the window opening defined by the door upper frame members 22 and 30.

If it is desired to move the windows 30 and 32 from their open position, as shown in Figure 3, to their closed position, as shown in Figure 1, the reverse sequence will occur and this is believed to be apparent without further description. Briefly, however, the window 30 will now move from its position of Figure 3 to a fully closed position, as shown in Figure 2, ahead of the window 32 so that the window 32 will be disposed in a partially open position, as shown in Figure 2, when the window 30 is in a closed position and will thereafter be moved to a fully closed position, as shown in Figure 1.

Thus this invention provides a new and improved window regulator mechanism for moving a plurality of vehicle windows between open and closed positions with respect to a window opening and maintaining the windows in coplanar relationship in all positions thereof.

We claim:

1. In a vehicle body having a window opening therein, the combination comprising, a first window adapted to open and close one portion of said opening, means mounting said first window on said body for both pivotal and bodily movement relative thereto during movement of said window between open and closed positions, a second window adapted to open and close another portion of said opening, means mounting said second window on said body for both pivotal and bodily movement relative thereto and for maintaining said second window in coplanar relationship with said first window in all positions thereof, and a common operating means operatively connected to said windows for causing said windows to move both pivotally and bodily between their respective open and closed positions in a predetermined sequence.

2. In a vehicle body having a window opening therein and a window well having an upper entrant portion opening to said window opening and being of a length less than the length of said window opening, the combination comprising, a pair of coplanar windows adapted to open and close said window opening and to be stored within said well in the closed position thereoflthe combined length of said windows being greater than the length of the upper entrant portion of said well, means mounting each of said windows on said body for both pivotal andbodily movement relative thereto during movement of said 'windows between open and closed positions-and for maintaining said windows in coplanar relationship in all positions thereof, a common operating means', and means operatively connecting said operating means to said win= dows for causing said windows to move bothpivotally and bodily between their respective open and closed positions in a predetermined sequence so as to be stored within said well one above the other.

3. In a vehicle body having a window opening therein, the combination comprising, a first windowadapted to open and close one portion of said window opening, means mounting said first window on said body for both'pivotal and bodily movement relative thereto, a second window adapted to open and close another portion'of said opening,means pivotally and slidably mounting said second window on said first window for both pivotal and bodily movement relative thereto and for maintaining said second window in coplanar relationship with said first window in all positions thereof, means controlling sliding movementof said second window relative to said first window, and a common operating means operatively connected to said windows for causing said windows to move both pivotally and bodily between their respective open and closed positions in a predetermined sequence.

4. In a vehicle body having a window opening therein, the combination comprising, a first window adapted to open and close one portion of said window opening, means mounting said first window on said body for both pivotal and bodily movement relative thereto, a second window adapted to open and close another portion of said opening, means mounting said second window on said first window for both pivotal and bodily movement relative thereto and for maintaining said second window in coplanar relationship with said first window in all positions thereof, means controlling bodily movement of said second window relative to said first window and causing said second window to move pivotally and bodily longitudinally underneath said first window upon movement of said second window toward open position, a common operating means, and means operatively connecting said operating means to said windows for causing said second window to move pivotally and bodily longitudinally underneath said first window while maintaining said first window in the closed position thereof.

5. In a vehicle body having a window opening therein, the combination comprising, a first window adapted to open and close one portion of said window opening, a second window adapted to open and close another portion of said opening, means pivotally and slidably mounting said second window on said first window for both pivotal and bodily movement relative thereto, means controlling sliding movement of said second window relative to said first window and maintaining said second window in coplanar relationship with said first window in all positions thereof, and operating means operatively connected to said second window for causing said window to move both pivotally and bodily between its respective open and closed positions.

6. In a vehicle body having a window opening therein, the combination comprising, a first window adapted to open and close one portion of said window opening, means mounting said first window on said body for both pivotal and bodily movement relative thereto, a second window adapted to open and close another portion of said opening, means pivotally and slidably mounting said second window on said first window for both pivotal and bodily movement relative thereto and for maintaining said second window in coplanar relationship with said first window in all positions thereof, guide means, means operatively connecting said second window to said guide a 1' means for controlling sliding movement ofsaid second window relative to said first window, and a common operating means operatively connected to said windows for causing said windows to move both pivotally and bodily between their respective open and 'closed positions in apredetermined sequence,

7. In a vehicle body having a'window opening therein, the combination comprising, a first window adapted to open and close one portion of said window opening, means mounting said firstwindow on said body for both pivotal and bodily movement relative thereto, a second window adapted to open and close another portionof said open and close one portion of said window opening, meansmounting said first window on said body, for both pivotal and bodily movement relative thereto, a second window adapted to open and close another portion of said opening,

; means mounting said second window on said first window for both pivotal and bodily movement relative thereto and opening, means mounting said second window on said first windowfor both pivotal and bodily movement relative thereto and for maintaining said second window incoplanar relationship with said first window in all positions thereof, means controllingbodily movement of said second window relative to said first window and causing said second windowto move pivotally and bodily longitudinally underneath said first window upon movement of said second window toward open position, a common 7 operating means, and means operatively connecting said operating means to said windows for causing said second window to moverpivotally and bodily longitudinally underneath said first window while said first window moves to the open position thereof.

8. In a vehicle body having a window opening therein,

the combination comprising, a first window adapted to for maintaining said second window in coplanar relationship with said first window in all positions thereof, means controlling bodily movement of saidsecond window rela tive to said ,first window and'causing said second window to move pivotally and bodily longitudinally underneath said first window upon movement of said second window toward open position, a common operating means, means operatively connecting said operating means to said sec:

ond window for'causing said second window to move pivotally, and bodily longitudinally underneath said first window, and second means operatively connecting said first window to said operating means, said second means,

2,122,963, 1 Susor July 5, 1932 2,863,658 Moyes Dec. 9, 1958 

